Frame for miniature pictures



FRAME FOR MiNIATURE PIc'mmEs Filed Malrc h 7, 1945 INVENTOR. Fan Tfixes/W F. GROBHOLZ' r r 2,401,241

Patented May 28, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRAME FOR MINIATUREPICTURES Frank Grobholz, Astoria, N. Y.

Application March 7, 1945, Serial No. 581,397

4 Claims. v (Cl. 40-.-152.1)

This invention relates to a, frame for miniature pictures, and one ofits objects is to provide a frame with a backing plate which can belocked in assembled relation to the frame, so as to hold the picture indisplay position therein, by a wire support or easel, which may beentirely detached from the frame to release the picture, or to open theframe for the insertion of a picture.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a frame forminiature pictures, which is provided with rearwardly extending lugs anda backing plate or sheet which is provided with lateral ears havingopenings to receive the lugs, and which can be locked in place by a,wire easel frame of U-shaped construction, which is formed withoutwardly directed trunnions or terminals adapted to be inserted inopenings of the lugs to confine the backing plate or sheet against theframe and hold the miniature picture in display position therein.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention relates tocertain new and useful constructions, combinations and arrangements ofparts, clearly described in the following specification, and fullyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view, showing the parts of the improvedframe completely assembled.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view, showing the separate parts in linefor successive assembly.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, showing the easel folded.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modified form.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the frame of the modifiedconstruction, shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrate the practicalembodiment of the invention, 5 designates a picture frame, havingvertical side bars 6 and 1, a top cross bar 8, and a bottom cross bar 9,united to establish a display opening l9. The bars are constructed withpicture nesting shoulders I I, which may also receive a glass or plasticpanel [2.

The side bars 6 and 1 are formed with hinge lugs 6a and 1a, each ofwhich is formed with a bearing opening or hole I3. The portions of theside bars adjacent and above and below these hinge lugs are recessed atM to receive the lateral ears I5 of the backing plate or cardboard sheetI 6,

and each of these ears is formed with an opening l5a to receive one ofthe lugs. The body of the backing plate or sheet is constructed toneatly fit against the shoulders ll, so as to hold the picture and thetransparent panel in place.

The transparent panel [2 is placed against the shoulders I l, thepicture then placed against this panel, and the backing plate or sheetpressed against the picture. When this is done the hinge lugs willproject through the slots or openings |5a of the lateral ears [50f thebacking plate or sheet.

The parts are held in this assembled relation by means of a U-shapedwire easel frame 16', which includes the bottom cross bar I6a the sidebars Ifib and 16c, each of which is formed with an outwardly directedterminal or trunnion ll. These trunnions are forced through the holes oropenings [5a of the hinge lugs, and the lateral ears are thereby lockedon the hinge lugs.

To release the backing and open the picture frame 5 the side bars 16band I of the easel frame [6 are manually pressed toward each other, soas to completely detach the trunnions from the hinge lugs. When this isdone the backing plate or sheet and any picture in the frame may beremoved and a new picture placed in position.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the upper cross bar of the picture frame is closed,which requires that the backing plate or sheet be removed to admit thepicture. But in Figs. 4 and 5 I show a picture frame having its uppercross bar 20 formed with a picture entrance slot 2|, so that the upperend of the backing plate 22, which fits in this slot or recess, may beslightly displaced from the frame, to permit of the insertion of thepicture. The side bars 23 and 24 of the frame are formed with theconnecting hinge lugs 23a and 24a, which are engaged by the lateraltrunnions 25 and 26 of the U-shaped easel frame 21.

The side edges of the backing plate or sheet 22 engage the shoulders 22aand 22b formed in the side bars 23 and 24, which are located outwardlyof the inner surface of the slot or recess 2|, so that the backing platedoes not bind the picture, which, of course, is cut to the Width of therecess 2 I, so that its side edges do not overlap into the shoulders22a, and 221).

In both constructions the ends of the easel frame provide the means forcompleting the assembly of the parts of the picture frame and thepicture itself, and'of holding the parts coupled in safe condition, Thepressure naturally developed by the cardboard or metal backing sheetagainst the trunnions of the easel frame creates friction against thesetrunnions, so that the easel frame will not swing too freely on thepicture frame. This permits of the adjustment to various angularpositions of the easel frame, to support the picture of the frame in thewanted display position, without danger of accidental shift- It will bealso noted that the lateral pressure of the expanded U-shaped easelframe against the inner surfaces of the hinge lugs further createsfriction which holds the frame at any desired angle.

When the picture frame is made from metal, plastic or similar material,the hinge lugs may be molded from the plastic material. When the frameis constructed from wood the lugs may be pressed out of the wood, orinserted in the wood.

It is understood that various changes in the details of construction,their combination and arrangement, may be made, within the scope of theinvention, as defined by the claims hereof.

Having described my invention, I claim as new:

1. A frame for miniature pictures, comprising a frame having side andend bars formed with shoulders providing a nesting seat for a picture,the side bars having recesses therein and hinge lugs located in saidrecesses, a backing sheet having lateral ears engaging the recesses andopenings in said ears to receive the hinge lugs, and a Wire easel framehaving lateral trunnions detachably engaging the hinge lugs to confinethe backing sheet against the frame.

2. A frame for miniature pictures, consisting of side and endbars unitedto each other and providing a display opening for a picture, the

side bars having transverse recesses and hinge lugs located in saidrecesses and provided with openings, a backing sheet of cardboarddisposed against the side and end bars and having lateral portionsengaging the recesses and having openings to receive the hinge lugs, anda U-shaped wire easel frame having outwardly directed trunnionsdetachably engaging the openings of the hinge lugs and having frictionalbearing against the backing sheet.

I 3. In combination, a picture frame having a picture display openingand side end bars, one of said end bars having a picture insertingrecess extending through the same and the side bars backing plate inplace on the frame.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3, the easel frame consisting of aU-shaped wire part having outwardly directed trunnions adapted toslidably engage the openings of the lug and to have frictional bearingon the lateral ears of the backing plate.

FRANK GROBHOLZ.

